Olympic24: Konta wins first WTA title and Froome makes history

25 July 2016 / 06:24

Johanna Konta won her first WTA title after beating Venus Williams in Stanford, California while Chris Froome cycled into the history books at the Tour de France. Here's our review of the last 24 hours:

Johanna Konta defeats Venus Williams 7-5 5-7 6-2 in Bank of the West Classic final

Konta's incredible rise continues

British number one Johanna Konta has beaten Venus Williams 7-5 5-7 6-2 to win her first WTA title in Stanford, California..

The 25-year-old is the first Briton to win a WTA title since Heather Watson won in Osaka four years ago.

Sue Barker was the only previous British winner of the Bank of the West Classic when she beat Virginia Wade in the 1977 final.

Konta, who was ranked 147 in the world last June, will rise to a career high of 14 in the new world rankings after defeating the seven-time Grand Slam champion.

"It's quite an incredibly humbling experience," said Konta.

"It's a validation of all the hard work you've already put in and a motivator on the things you want to keep improving on, and the lengths you might go to in order to become that much better at your discipline.”

Froome rides to glory in Paris

The Team Sky rider dominated throughout, claiming time on the descents, the flat, the mountains and in time trials to finish well clear of his nearest rivals, winning two stages along the way.

Still the Tour is the Tour and Froome's victory didn't come without drama. Going up the Mont Ventoux Froome gave us one of the enduring images after his bike was broken in a motorcycle crash and he attempted to run up the mythical mountain.

He was down again in Stage 19, finishing the last ten kilometres on the bike of teammate Geraint Thomas, but there was to be no denying Froome, who has now won three of the last four Tours to join greats like Greg Lemond, Louison Bobet and Philippe Thys with three Tour victories.

Adam Yates, another selected by Team GB for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, became the first Briton to wear the White Jersey for the best under-25 after finishing fourth overall.